Each of the three neighborhood groups has now officially begun to explore the idea of becoming part of a proposed Historic District.
Washington Heights Neighbors has a committee beginning to start work: Prentis Davis (725-4625) and Genevieve Holley (727-4417) of 58xx Pershing; Leonard McLucas (725-5926) of 57xx DeGiverville; C.L. Smith (862-8939) and Blanche Reel (721-8307) of 57xx Waterman; Vivienne Dobbs (726-2083) of 58xx Westminster; and WHN President Mike Magrath. The WHN committee has a large blank map of the neighborhood which they will be coloring in to show current land use. Once that is done, the real fun begins: identifying buildings or areas to propose for rehabilitation or redevelopment.
The Rosedale Neighborhood Association Historic District Committee has just finished coloring its current land use map and is beginning to "brainstorm" for rehabilitation and redevelopment ideas. At the May 6 meeting it was decided to consider only commercial properties, since most of Rosedale's residential properties are now being maintained, being rehabilitated, or have good prospects of rehabilitation. Accordingly, RNA is looking at each individual commercial property (up Skinker to Delmar, east on Delmar to Des Peres, and down Des Peres). It is attempting to provide four different approaches for each site or building: restorative (make it look like it did originally); conservative (keep it as it is now); progressive (propose eventual changes to conform to neighborhood needs); and experimental (propose eventual changes to meet metropolitan needs, perhaps developing new ideas of what these properties should offer in relation to what the Central West End, the Delmar Loop and other nearby areas offer). This last is a mind-expanding challenge–and a lot of fun! It is easy to lean toward a conservative approach to one building and toward a progressive approach to the building beside it.
Parkview will be starting to work on its land use map soon, paying special attention to the commercial area which borders it and, if possible, exchanging ideas with the planners of the Delmar Loop. Of great interest to Parkview and Rosedale people will be the ideas which are developed by both groups about what they envision for the east side of Skinker. Parkview Neighbors who want to have a hand in this creative thinking should contact Judy Little (726-4522), Joyce Hancock (862-8943) or any of the Parkview Agents.
When all three (or any adjoining two) neighborhood groups have their rehabilitation and redevelopment ideas down on paper, there will begin a series of joint meetings of the committees to discuss the area as a whole. Only after a total concept is developed will the definition of standards for a Historic District take place. No one knows better the needs and desires of a block or an area than the people who live there, so anyone is invited to become involved in any phase of this work. Everyone must be able to contribute his ideas. Please call any of your neighbors listed above, or Sue Tepas (862-3783), for meeting times and places. Rosedale's committee has currently changed its weekly meetings to Tuesdays, and all the committees will be looking for airconditioned meeting places from now on.
Sue Tepas
Original newspaper source
Originally published in The Paper, June 1975.
Read this article in the original newspaper issue.
